Wallace Beery (1885-1949)

Wallace Beery was an American character actor who first became famous in the Silent movie era and who successfully made the transition to Talkies, winning a Best Actor Academy Award in 1932 for his performance in 'The Champ'. He gave several memorable characterisations during his 36 year career, beginning with Sweedie, the very masculine Swedish maid, in a series of comedy films, and Bill in 'Min and Bill' during the early 1930's. He was also an unforgettable Long John Silver in 'Treasure Island' in 1934.

Biography

For several years he performed in many short movies for the Keystone and Universal studios, then moved to Japan for a short and ultimately fruitless period attempting to produce films for the Oriental market.

On his return to Hollywood, Beery continued to work regularly in features, at first mainly in villainous roles, but he soon developed a reputation as a fine actor and he appeared in many excellent silent movies such as 'The Round-Up' with Roscoe Arbuckle, and 'Last of the Mohicans' both in 1920, 'The Lost World' in 1925 and 'Beggars of Life' with Louise Brooks in 1928.

When Talkies came in Beery's career at first took a dip as studios began cutting back on acting staff. His powerful, gruff voice was seen as an asset by Irving Thalberg, one of the chiefs of MGM, who put him under contract. In 1930 he received a nomination for Best Actor for his performance as the tough convict Butch in 'the Big House'. He was now one of the best known actors in Hollywood and he cemented his position later in 1930 when he made 'Min and Bill', co-starring with Marie Dressler. The following year he won the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in 'The Champ', sharing the win with Fredric March for 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.

Beery's career peaked during the 1930's and he appeared in many successful pictures, changing his screen persona from the tough guy to a more easy going, slow witted character such as the dim wrestler in 'Flesh' in 1932. He played opposite Jean Harlow in 'Dinner at Eight' in 1933 and in 1934 he made two unforgettable characterisations, firstly as Long John Silver in 'Treasure Island' and then as Panch Villa in 'Viva Villa!' with Fay Wray. (He had already successfully played Villa in 1917.) Beery was one of the hottest properties in Hollywood and other successes at this time included 'Grand Hotel' in 1932 with Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo, 'The Bowery' with George Raft and Fay Wray in 1933, 'China Seas' in 1935 with Gable and Harlow, and Eugene O'Neill's 'Ah, Wilderness!' in the same year.

During this time he formed a successful movie partnership with vaudeville comic star, Marie Dressler and for a time the two of them were among Hollywood's most celebrated screen couples performing together in such hits as the famous 'Min and Bill' in 1930 and 'Tugboat Annie' in 1933. Dressler died in 1934 and Beery later formed another successful partnership with Marjorie Main playing opposite her in such films as 'Bad Man of Wyoming' and 'Barnacle Bill', both in 1941.

Beery's career slowed down during the 1940's although he continued to make, and get top billing in, movies each year until his death. He appeared in a war-time propaganda film 'Salute to the Marines' in 1943, with his brother, Noah Beery, Sr. In 1946 he co-starred with child star Margaret O'Brien in 'Bad Bascomb' and made 'The Mighty McGurk' the following year. Although his star was fading, none of his films during this time lost money at the box office.

Personal

Beery was a broad shouldered, thickset man who looked and sounded like a gangster. He is alleged to have been one of three men who beat to death comedian Ted Healy in 1937. He was certainly sent on a four month long trip to Europe just after Healy's death, while the studio put together a story that three college students were responsible for the murder.

He was married twice. His first wife was Gloria Swanson whom he married on her 17th birthday before she had become famous. In her autobiography Swanson claimed that Beery raped her on her their wedding night and later tricked her into drinking a concoction that induced an abortion. The couple divorced after 2 years. His second marriage, from 1924 to 1939 was to another actress, Rita Gilman. The couple adopted a daughter, Carol Ann, who was the daughter of Rita's cousin.

Wallace Beery died in Beverley Hills from a heart attack on April 15, 1949, aged 64. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

Wallace Beery Filmography